Philadelphia Eagles Wide Receiver Jason Avant Was the True Hero Against Redskins

The Philadelphia Eagles remained in the NFC playoff hunt">Philadelphia Eagles remained in the NFC playoff hunt with their second straight come from behind win in a 27-24 victory over the Washington Redskins on Sunday. With wide receiver DeSean Jackson sidelined due to a concussion, the Eagles needed all the extra help they could get on offense from their young guys.

Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb helped his team overcome an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter and score 11 unanswered points. Rookie running back LeSean McCoy provided a strong running game for the Eagles throughout the fourth quarter and finished with 76 yards on the ground–including a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24.

Even rookie wide receiver Jeremy Maclin hauled in a key 35-yard reception to help set up what ended up being the game-winning field goal by kicker David Akers.

While each of these Eagles played an important role in Sunday’s win against the Redskins, no player deserves more credit for the team’s comeback than fourth-year wideout Jason Avant.

With the Eagles down 24-16 in the fourth quarter, Avant hauled in two key receptions during a drive that helped the Eagles march 90 yards down the field and eventually a one-yard touchdown run by Eldra Buckley. While he may not have been a factor towards the end of the drive, it was his effort in the beginning that helped the team get out of an offensive funk that almost lost them the game.

The Eagles offense arguably had their worst performance of the season in the third quarter of Sunday’s game against the Redskins. Each of their three possessions resulted in a three-and-out. On two of the drives, two third-down passes by McNabb fell just short of a first down. For the Philadelphia fan, it was frustrating to watch considering the Eagles were losing to a Redskins team at home who were winners of just three games all season.

The fourth quarter was a similar situation for the Eagles after they pulled another three-and-out on their first drive. With four straight three-and-outs in the second half, it appeared the Eagles were on their way to their fourth loss of the season and would have to play catch up in the NFC playoff hunt.

That was until Avant saved the offense.

With less than 11 minutes to play and the Eagles looking for a first down for the first time since the end of the second quarter, McNabb found Avant for a 46-yard reception in Washington territory. The very next play, McNabb found Avant again for another 20-yard gain.

All of a sudden, the Eagles offense was alive and there was hope for a fourth quarter comeback for the second straight week.

Overall, Avant led all Eagles wide receivers with five receptions for 94 yards. His two receptions for a combined 66 yards during the drive were a major reason why the Eagles left Lincoln Financial Field victorious on Sunday against the Redskins.

Without Avant, it’s hard to say whether or not the Eagles still would still be holding on to the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoff hunt and trailing the Dallas Cowboys by one game in the NFC East.

Dan Parzych Is the Eagles Fan Voice for NFLTouchdown.com

He is also the founder of the new NFCEastFootball.com